Massillon bodycam video shows arrest at center of federal civil lawsuit

MASSILLON – Police body camera video shows a drunken city man resisting arrest while being escorted out of his house last year before he and an arresting officer tumble after coming down the front steps and onto his front lawn.

Lowell “Bo” Gower, 58, was taken to the hospital following the arrest and died weeks later at a Canton medical facility. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit last week against the city , claiming he died from injuries sustained during his arrest, which took place March 19, 2023.

The Independent obtained body camera videos via a public records request. They show an officer struggling to escort a handcuffed Gower from inside his home on 10 ^th Street NE to a police vehicle.

After exiting the front door, Gower went down into the grass with an officer on top of him. It is unclear in the video whether the officer forced Gower over or if he tumbled due to being intoxicated.

While in the grass, Gower seemed to lose consciousness for a moment, but became alert and asked an officer softly, "Why'd you do that? I didn't do nothing."

Lawsuit filed: A 'very bad look for Massillon.' City facing brutality claim over man's arrest, death

An officer replied, "Yeah, you did. You were resisting that whole time. You almost ate the .... pavement with your face."

Police immediately called for paramedics. Gower then was transported to a hospital.

Gower’s widow, Angela Gower who is shown in bodycam footage being belligerent and arguing with officers after they responded to a domestic dispute, is suing the city of Massillon and police officials in federal court on claims of police brutality, excessive force and wrongful death.

The lawsuit claims Gower suffered from his injuries following the arrest, including the inability to move his limbs. He died June 2, 2023.

The police video shows that Gower was slurring and intoxicated while speaking to officers prior to and during parts of his arrest. He was so inebriated he urinated on himself. He also appeared unaware of what was going on, asking police why they were there.

He later tells them they were playing online poker with his wife of 35 years losing money they don't have.

Gower, who becomes agitated and upset, questions why he is being arrested when asked to put on his shoes while handcuffed with his arms behind his back.

"You struck your wife in the head," the officer says once before repeating it slowly again.

"I did?" Gower responds.

"I would never do that to her. I love her."

Massillon statement on Bo Gower's arrest says involved officers remain employed

The four officers involved in Gower’s arrest remain employed with the department, according to a joint statement released Friday by Safety-Service Director Renee Baker and Police Chief Jason Saintenoy .

The city declined further comment.

“The city of Massillon is aware of the pending lawsuit involving Mr. Lowell Gower. As a matter of police and respect for (the) legal process, the city … and Massillon Police Department do not comment on pending litigation,” the release states.

Akron attorney John Pfleiderer, of the Mendenhall Law Group , is representing the Gower family in the civil case. He had called the incident a "very bad look for Massillon" and acknowledged that "millions of dollars" would be sought in damages.

“There’s no excuse for throwing a 58-year-old, handcuffed man to the ground during an arrest,” he said. “We will take this to trial if need be.”

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com . On X: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon bodycam video shows arrest at center of federal civil lawsuit